Portable cross arm



Feb. 24, 1931. H. w. BODENDIECK 1,793,733

' PORTABLE CROSS ARM Filed Oct. 12, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l 7 ILMBwlendiecl 1931- H. w. .BODENDIECK 93,733

PORTABLE CROS S ARM Filed Oct. 12. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I 4? 37 I3 I 9 glwuentoz fl Mflorlen diary Feb. 24, 1931. H. w. BODENDIEC ZK ,7

PORTABLE CROSS ARM Filed Oct. 12. 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 IIIIIIA a:

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Feb. 24, 1931. H. w. BODENDIECK 1,793,733

PORTABLE CROSS ARM Filed Oct. 12, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 .4 JFK/47..

7 I A) "A Z Jwuentoz MMBo Jen clz'ecl Patented Feb. 24,1931

Unit SED .QTATES HENRY W. BODENDIECK, OF TAYLORVILLE, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO TZPS TOOL COM- PANY, INC., OF TAYLORVILLE, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS PORTABLE CROSS ARM Application filed October 12, 1928. Serial No. 312,110.

This invention relates to a portable cross arm and it is an object of the invention to provide a device of this kind which is adapted, when in use, to be supported in position to enable conductor wires to be temporarily sup ported to facilitate removal and replacement of regular cross arm or other work in connection with such regular cross arm which requires the release of the conductors therea from.

Another object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind comprising a sup porting or main column together with cross arms, said arms and column being readily 5 foldable when the device is not in use and also readily separable when the requirements of practice may so necessitate.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a device of this kind including a supporting or main column having associatec therewith anchoring means of a character to permit the same to be readily and effectively held with respect to its work and in a manner whereby s id column and its load may be 5 bodily lifted or lowered.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a portable cross arm comprising a structure which, when not in use, may be readily transported from one location to another, thus materially increasing the facilities in connection with cross arm work.

The invention consists in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of the several parts of my improved portable cross arm whereby certain important advantages are attained and the device rendered simpler, less expensive and otherwise more convenient and advantageous for use, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

The novel features of my invention will hereinafter be definitely claimed.

In order that my invention may be the better understood, I will now proceed to describe the same with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure l is a view in elevation illustrating a portable cross arm constructed in accordance with an embodiment of my invention and in applied position, the same being shown lifted to hold the conductors free from the regular cross arm;

Figure 2 is a view in side elevation of the structure as illustrated in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is an elevational view showing the device as herein disclosed unapplied and in folded r compacted adjustment to facilitate itst sportation;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary view partly in side elevation and partly in section illustrating de .,il the means as herein employed for anchoring the device to a desired support and also the means for bodily lifting the column and its load;

Figure is a detailed sectional view taken "-tially on the line 55 of Figure 4;

g e 6 is a detailed sectional view taken ntially on the line 66 of Figure 4;; gure 7 is a detailed sectional View taken substantially on the line 'Z? of Figure l;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially on the 8-8 of Figure 4i;

Fi ure 9 is an enlarged detailed sectional v ew taken substantially on the line 99 of F gure 10 is fragmentary view in elevation illustrating the device assembly for se connection with a rid e pin type of censtruction Figure 11 is an enlarged fragmentary view partly in section and partly in elevation illustrating the means herein embodied for connecting the cross aim sections and the main column;

Figure 12 is a fragmentary view in side elevation of the upper end portion of the main supporting column;

Figure 13 is a view in top plan of the structure illustrated in Figure 12;

Figure 1a is a view in elevation of the outer extremity of a connecting arm of one of the cross arm sections.

Figure 15 is a sectional view taken substantially on the line 15l5 of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrows.

As disclosed in the accompanying drawinvs, P denotes a pole carrying a cross arm C both of a conventional type and wherein the cross arm C has mounted thereon the insulators I to each of which a c nductor is tact with the pole P.

adapted to be tied in the well known manner.

To facilitate removal and replacement of a cross arm C with respect to the pole P, or the removal and replacement oi the insulators I, itis necessary that the conductor lines L be held in a position iree of the cross arm C, or more particularly the'insulators l and preferably at a position thereabove; My portable cross arm is for this purpose. 7

. As herein disclosed, my portable cross arm comprises an elongated bar 1 herein disclosed as angular in cross section. The bar 1 is provided at each extremity with a reduced extension 2 which is directed through the outer end portion of a bracket B. Engaged with the extension 2 outwardly 01"- the bracket B is a holding nut 3 or its equivalent.

Each of the brackets B, as herein disclosed, comprises a pair of substantially'perpendicularly related arms or plates 1 for con- Integrally formed with the plates a are the outwardly arranged sleeves 5 one arranged above the other. Disposed through these sleeves 5 are the elongated members 6. The end portions of the members 6 adjacent the free ends of the arms or plates 4 are provided with eyes '2' which are engaged the straps 8. The opposite end portions of the members 6 have threaded thereon the wing nuts 9 each of which having direct contact with the adjacent end of the associated sleeve 5. straps 8, in practice, are disposed around the pole P or kindred support and connected, as at 10, in a conventional manner to hold the bracket B to the pole or support P.

However, to assure a more eli ective mounting of. the bracket B to the pole or support l the nuts 9 turn in a direction to impose pull upon the members 6 and thereby causing the straps 8 to have more effective engagement with the pole or support P.

Engaged with the member or bar 1 is a split sleeve 11, the opposed marginal portions of which being provided with outstanding ears 12 with which is engaged a holding member 14. Upon loosening the member 1a the sleeve 11 may be adjusted to any desired position along the bar 1 and through the medium of the member 14: the sleeve will be eil'ectively locked in desired position on said member or bar 1.

The sleevell is provided with a forwardly extendingarm 15 terminating in a bearing 16, the bore a of which being disposed in the same general direction as the member or bar 1. The bore a of the bearing 16 receives an end portion of an operating screw 17, said screw having fixed thereto a hand wheel 18 v or the like which, in practice, has contact from below with the bearing 16. Fir-zed to the operating screw 17 is a holding column .19 which has contact with the opposite face of the bearing 16. V

with r The The operating screw 17 is of desired length and has its outer or upper end portion threaded through 2O fixed to the lower per tion of a main or supporting column 21. The lower end portion oi this column 21 is provided with an axialbore 22 i which is received the outer or free end portion of the operating screw 17. ,Upon requisite rotation 01"- the screw 17 the column 21 together with I its load will be raised or lowered as the occasions of practice may require.

The path of travel of thecolumn 21 is in the same general direction as the member or bar 1 and to further assure such travel, the lower end portion of the column 21, or more particularly the cap 20, has clamped thereto by a binding screw 23 or the like an annular member 2 1. This member 24 is provided with an outstanding and radially disposed arm 25, the outer or free end portion oi which being provided with an open slot or recess 26 which reccivesthc member'or bar 1.

To further maintain the column or post 21 its desired path I provide a substantially fixed guide ring 27 through which the column 21 is fre ly inserted. This ring 27 is preferablv hinged type clearly illustrated Figure 5. As such construction is conventional it is not believed that a detailed description thereof is necessary. This ring 27 is provided with an outstanding radially disposed arm 28 terminating in a transversely enlarged plate 29. This plate 29 is provided with an elongated slot 30 through which the upper extension 2 ofthe bar or member 1 is disposed and with which the upper holding nut 3 directly engages. By provision of the slot 30 this guide member or ring 27 may be laterally adjusted as required and especially when it is desired to remove or apply the cross arm through bolt 31. his lateral movement at the lower end of the applied column need only be very slight.

lhe end portion of the column 21 remote from the cap 20 has affixed thereto a crown cap 32, the outer end portion of which being provided with an outstanding web 33 disposed radially across the cap 32.

The opposed faces of the web 33 are provided with the annularly arran 'ed teeth 3 L each series of which being adapted to inter lock with a similarly arranged series of teeth 35 carried by the inner face of a connecting arm 36 provided at an end portion of a cross arm section 37. Each of the arms 36 at the axial center of the field defined by the teeth 35 is provided with an opening 38 which is 7 adapted to register with an opening 39 arranged at the axial center of the field defined by the teeth 34:.

A shank 40 is disposed through the opening 39 and is provided with the collars l1 having contact with the opposed faces of the web 33 whereby the shank 4.0 is carried by the web 33.

".f tions 37.

In applying each of the cross arm sections 37 an end portion of the shank 40 is directed through the opening 38 of a connecting arm 36 and the teeth are held in requisite meshing or locking engagement with the teeth 34 through the instrumentality of a wing nut 42 or the like threading upon the shank out *aly of the applied arm 36. This particular mounting; of each of the cross arm sectio is 37 with respect to the column 21 permits said a ms to be read y removed and applied i also permits said arms to be disposer in practice at any desired angle below the lior.'.:outal as the ccasions of practice may require and especially when it is desired to employ the portable cross arm in connec tion with a ridge pin structure as is particu larly ill .strated in Figure 10 of the accompanying drawings.

The arms 36 hereinbel ore referred to are carried by caps 43 fixed to th inner end portions the cross arm so tionsandsaidarms 36 are disposed on slight outward incline with respect to the adjacent ends of the see- This is to assure the requisite mounting of the arms 36 with respect to the web 33 and to assure abutment of the inner ends of t 1e "ross arm sections 37, or more particularly the caps 43, when Said. cross arm sections 37 are in aligned adjustment as particularly illustrated in Figure 1.

Each of the cross arm sections 37 at a point substantially midway its ends is provided with a. bracket 44 including spaced ears between which is pivotally connected by a removable pin 45 an end portion of a bra e arm 46. This pivotal connection is afforded by a web 47 carried by a cap 48 fixed to an end portion of the arm 46, said web 47 extending: between the ears of the bracket 44.

The opposite end portion of the arm 46 is provided with a cap 49 provided with th outstanding web 50 which is pivotally connected by a removable pin 51 between the outstanding cars 52 of the ring sections 53. hen the cross arm sections 37 have been adjusted as desired the ring sections 53 are locked or held against movement along the column 21 by a holding screw 54 threaded through one of said sections 53 and having binding; action upon the column 21. By this means the arms 46 assure an effective brace of the cross arm sections 37 in any of their various adjustments with respect to the column 21.

Each of the sections 37 along opposite sides thereof is provided with the grooves or channels 55 in which are received the inturned extremities 56 of the slide members 57. Each of the slide members 57 comprises duplicate sections with which is associated a clamping screw 58 whereby the slide mem ber 57 is effectively locked at a desired selective position along, the cross arm section 37. Each of the slide members 57 is provided with an outstanding jaw 59 to re ceive a line L, said line beinp locked in the jaw by a conventional latch 60.

As illustrated in Figure 1, my improved portable cross arm has been operated to lift all oi the lines L a distance sufficient to readily allow any or all of the insulators l to be removed and replaced or otherwise han'dl d, and by slightly swinging the column 21 laterally in a direction le gthwise oil the regular cross arm C ready and conven- 1 nt access may be had to the cross arm through boit3l permitting convenient removal and replacement of the cross arm C, It is to be understood that before the column 21 has been moved upwardly the various clamps 56 have been adjusted upon the cross arm sections 37 to bring the same into proper position below the lines L. Should it be dered to lift the wires from the insulators I at one side of the pole P, the cross arm section 37 at the opposite side of the pole may be removed.

In Figure 10 illustrated an adjustment wherein my improved portable cross arm is employed in connection with a ridge pin type structure and when so used a fork 61 is our ployed, the shank of said fork being engaged within a suitable ocket or recess 62 provided in the outer central portion of the periphery of the web 33.

WVhen so used the cross arm sections 37 are adjusted downwardly to tie requisite angle.

Vhen not in use the device may be readily compacted or folded as particularly illustrated in Figure 3 and under which conditions the cross arm sections 37 he closely adjacent to and parallel with the column 21. This is of particular importance as it permits the ready transportation oi the device in the vehicle of a working and thereby enables the device to be taken to locations which would otherwise be dil'iicult of access with the apparatus.

If necessary the device may be entirely disassembled and the parts separately con-- veyed to the work location depending upon the accessibility to such location.

In order to further bracethe column 21 against strain imposed thereupon by the weight of the lines L, and more particularly when the pole is interposed in curve, I find it of advantage to on'iploy a slip ring member 63 through which the column 21 is freely insertible, said ring being associated with bracket B substantially imilar to a bracket B, said bracket B being id to the pole or other support P by the straps 64. This ring 63 in practice is located with respect to the column 21 above the upper bracket B.

From the foregoing descri ation thought to be obvious that portable cross arm constructed in accordance with my invention is particularly well adapted for use by reason of the convenience and facility i with which it may be assembled and operated,

tion without depart-in from the arinci Jles and spirit thereof and for this reason I do not wish to be understood as limiting myself to the precise arrangement and formation of the several parts herein shownin carrying out my invention in practice except as hereinafter claimed:

1. A portable cross sfsrintv r ing, in combination, a supnoriilg structure, anchoring oans therefor, a lilting column, means coac g with the supporting structure and the columntor lse lower the column, cros. sections, means for pivotally connecting the inn r end portions of said sections to the upper portion of the column, bracing means coacting with each of said sections and the column, and line engaging means carried by the cross arm sections.

2. A portable cross arm structure comprising, in combination, a supporting structure, anchoring means therefor, alifting column, means coacting with the supporting structure and the column to raise and lower the column, cross arm sections, means for pivotally connecting the inner end portions of said sections to the upper portion of the column, bracing means coacting with each of said sections and the column, line engaging means carried by the cross arm'sections, and a guiding means for the column carrier by the column and coacting with the supporting structure.v V

3. A portable cross arm structure comprising, in combination, a supporting structure, anchoring means therefor, a lifting column, means coacting with the supporting structure and the column to raise and lower the column, cross arm sections, means for pivotally connecting the inner end portions of said sections to the upper portion of the column, bracing means coacting with each of saidv sections and the column, line engaging means carried by the cross arm sections, and guiding means for the column carried by the supporting structure and coacting with the column.

4:. A portable cross arm structure comprising, in combination, a supporting structure, anchoring means therefor, a lifting column, means coacting with the supporting structure and the column to raise and lower the column, cross arm sections, mean for pivotally connecting the inner end portions of said sec; ions to the upper portion of the column, bracing means enacting with each of said sections and the column, line engaging means carried by the cross arm sections, said line engaging means being adjustable lengthwise of each'of the cross arm sections,

5. A portable cross arm structure comprising, in combination, an elongated member,

e comprisspaced lengthwise thereof, holding means brackets engaged with. said member at points coacting with each of the brackets, a sleeve slitv ably engaged on the elon ated member, means for holdingsaid sleeve against such sliding movement, an operating screw in swiveled connection with the sleeve, a column, said screw being in threaded engagement with column to raise and lower the same upon rotation of the screw, cross arm carried by the column, and wire engaging means carried by the cross arm. I 6. A portable cross arm structure comprising, in combination, an elongated member, brackets engaged with said member at points spaced lengthwise thereof,'holding means coacting with each of the brackets, a sleeve slidably engaged on the elongated member, means for holding said sleeve against such sliding movement, an operating screw in swiveled connection with the sleeve, a column, said screw being in threaded engagement with said column to raise and lower the same upon rotation of the screw, a cross arm carried by the column, wire engaging means carried by the cross arm, said cross arm comprising sections, said sections having their inner end portions in pivotal connection with the cross arm, and a bracing member operatively engaged with each of said sections and the column.

7. A portable cross arm structure comprising, in combination, an elongated member, brackets engaged with said member at points spaced lengthwise thereof, holding means coacting with each of the brackets, a sleeve slidably engaged on the elongated member, means for holding said sleeve against such sliding movement, an operating screw in swiveled connection with the sleeve, a column, said screw being in threaded engagement with said column to raise and lower the same upon rotation of the screw, a cross arm carried by the column, wire engaging means carried by the cross arm, said cross arm comprising section-s, said sections having their inner end portions in pivotal connection with the cross arm, a bracing member operatively engaged with each of said sections and the column, a member slidable on the column, and means for holding said member against such sliding movement, the brace members being operatively engaged with said sliding member.

8. A portable cross arm structure comprising, in combination, an elongated member, brackets engaged with said member at points spaced lengthwise thereof, holding means coacting with each of the brackets, a sleeve slid ably engaged on the elongated member, means for holding said sleeve against such sliding movement, an operating screw in 'swiveled connection with the sleeve, a column, said screw being in threaded engagement wlth sald column to ralse and lower the same upon rotation of the screw, a cross arm carried by the column, wire engaging means carried by the cross arm, a guide member coacting with the column,- an outstanda ing arm carried by said column, said arm being provided with a slot, and means associated with the elongated member and disposed through the slot for anchoring the outstanding arm, said slot permitting a lateral 0 adjustment of the column.

9. A portable cross arm structure comprising, in combination, a supporting structure, anchoring means therefor, a lifting column, a member extending outwardly from the supporting structure, cross arm sections, means for pivotally connecting the inner end portions of said sections to the upper portion of the column, bracing means coacting with each of said sections and the column, line 2 engaging means carried by the cross arm sections, and a wire handling member engageable with the upper portion of the column when the cross arm sections have been swung into angular relation.

10. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, an elongated member, holding means for said member, a sleeve slidably engaged on the elongated member, means for holding said sleeve against such sliding movement, an operating screw in swivel connection with the sleeve, a column, said screw being in threaded engagement with said column to impart endwise movement to the column upon rotation of the 3 screw, and work engaging means carried by the column. v

11. A device of the class described com prising, in combination, an elongated mem ber, holding means for said member, a sleeve 0 slidably engaged on the elongated member, means for holding said sleeve against such sliding movement, an operating screw in swivel connection with the sleeve, a column, said screw being in threaded engagement with said column to impart endwise movement to the column upon rotation of the screw, working engaging means carried by the column, and guiding means for the column coacting with the column and the elongated member.

12. A device of the class described comprising, in combination, an elongated member, holding means for said member, a sleeve slidably engaged on the elongated member,

means for holding said sleeve against such sliding movement, a column, means coacting with the sleeve and column for imparting endwise movement to the column, and work engaging means carried by the column.

69 In testimony whereof I hereunto aflix my signature.

HENRY WV. BODENDIECK. 

